Kettering University boom box auction raises $1,700 for Goodwill

FLINT, MI -- Alec Barath and his teammates knew what they needed to do when they saw the storage trunk.

"We had to go big or go home," the 22-year-old Kettering University student said.

Eight Panasonic speakers, some amplifiers, input jacks, a CD drive, an FM radio tuner, buttons, knobs and a web of mulitcolored wires later, their creation was born.

It boomed and thumped. It rolled out on wheels and lit up with an eerie red glow from undernearth.

They call it the WubMaster Flex.

So why so many speakers? Why the red light glowing from the undercarriage? To teammate Scott Builta, it was obvious.

"To make it more awesome."

The creators of WubMaster Flex were among ten groups of Kettering electrical engineering students who, as part of a class, designed and built boom boxes using donated suitcases and components.

The creations were on display at Kettering Wednesday and auctioned off with proceeds benefiting Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan.

This was the second year of the "Audio Tourister" fund raising event with Goodwill. Last year, $1,400 was raised for Goodwill.

This year surpassed that, raising $1,675.

On the other side of the room, Spencer Trapp, Jonathan Wigger and Nick Miller showed off a different kind of boom box.

The called it the All American Tourister, a fitting name considering its portability. And unlike the WubMaster, it's not likely to start any house parties. It's for the home office.

"We went for quality over quantity," said Trapp, 21.

Quality and style. The Tourister's speakers and components are all inside the case, making it look like a normal suitcase when closed. The team lined the interior with green paisley, mounting the parts on clear plexiglass so the wires and paisley are in full view.

The three showed off their design wearing matching green paisley neck ties.